HCA Holdings expects to report strong income, patient volume for 2016

The Nashville-based system also expects to report a 1.6% increase in same-facility admissions for the fourth quarter of 2016 compared to the same period in the previous year. It also anticipates a 1.6% increase in emergency room visits in the fourth quarter compared to last year.

HCA, the nation's largest investor-owned hospital company, has been reporting positive finance margins as other hospitals struggle to do so.

In the third quarter of 2016, HCA reported net income of $618 million, compared with net income of $449 million in the year-earlier quarter.

Also in the third quarter, same-facility admissions grew by 1%, ER visits increased by 3% and inpatient surgeries increased by 1%.

HCA was an outlier among its investor-owned peers who recently faced stagnant patient volumes, rising labor costs and added expenses as they make investments in technology to reach valued-based payment goals.

Community Health Systems in particular faced a tough year in 2016 as it reported a $83 million loss from operations in the third quarter compared to a gain of $121 million in the same period a year ago.

HCA expects to release a full-report of its fourth quarter earnings Jan. 31.